How to be The Last Man Standing: 10 Fortnite Battle Royale Tips

2017-11-10In Fortnite Battle Royale, a hundred players skydive from the battle bus and only one will remain standing at the end of every match. So yes, your chances of winning are one to a hundred, but you can increase your odds of making it through by playing smart and using the right tactics. So, let's get right to it!

These tips may only apply to the Solo mode. Duos and Squads provide a different experience which means you’ll need a different strategies.

Battle Royale Isn’t About Killing, It’s About Survival

First off, even though Fortnite Battle Royale is simply a large-scale third-person shooter with building elements, it’s not about killing. It’s about SURVIVING. Seeking encounters will only get you killed especially if you head straight into the ensuing bloodbath at the start of every game.

Instead, AVOID encounters at all costs. This may sound unexciting, but the tension of hearing footsteps and gunfire around you as you hide in a corner keeps you on the edge. Remember, you can often win battle royale games simply by killing the second last player, so only pick the battles you’re sure of winning.

Camp, Listen to the Footsteps, and Ambush

If you’re a bad shot - hey, we don't judge, camping and ambushing is a legitimate tactic in Fortnite Battle Royale. This may sound dishonorable and it may break some unwritten code you personally have, but remember, nobody wins wars by being reckless and stupid. Position yourself in a place where you can have a wide field of view or are protected by the environment. Next, listen to the footsteps around you to locate an enemy player and pounce with guns blazing when their back is turned. To hear them better, be sure to wear headphones or else you'll end up missing important audio cues.

Land in Places Far from the Battle Bus’ Path

Every game, the battle bus takes a different route. If its route is mainly on the far left side of the island, skydive control your character so he will reach the right side when he lands. By doing so, you’ll encounter fewer enemies, thus increasing your chances to loot and gather building resources without being killed within the first few minutes. It’s also recommended to avoid jumping immediately, or landing in named areas (landmarks, generally) or places with numerous houses since other players will likely be there.

Beat the Bush

Some bushes, especially tall ones, around the map work as perfectly as a hiding spot. If you find a tall bush and position yourself correctly, you’ll be nearly invisible even to players who are just a few feet away from you. Remember though, find one that fully covers your character and don’t turn suddenly or get exposed: aim while turning to avoid this. Also, be sure to check out suspicious bushes and stay vigilant around them since other players may have the same idea.

Arrange Your Inventory

Imagine yourself in a firefight when you suddenly expended your clip. You switch to the next item on your inventory which happen to be your medkit. The split second interval allowed your opponent to hit you on the head with a well-placed shot. Avoid these incidences by arranging and organizing your inventory. Tip: place your assault rifle (or primary weapon) on the first slot, shotgun on the second, and explosives and long ranged weapons (like sniper rifles) on the 3rd and 4th. Reserve the final slot for the recovery items (medkits, bandages, shield potions).

Be on the High Ground

Whenever you run around in an open area, it’s a must to be on the high ground. Sure, you will be visible to other players, but it will help you in a shootout. It’s harder to hit a target that is elevated and easier to hit one that is beneath you. But most importantly, if you have good environmental awareness, you can easily make full use of a high ground's vantage point to spot enemies a split second before they spot you.

Use the Appropriate Weapons for the Right Situation

One of the easiest ways to get wrecked is to use a pump-action shotgun in a long-ranged battle against a rifle-wielding enemy. There are also players who somehow think that it’s a good idea to fire an RPG in close range. We all know how that will end...

In any case, the pistol, revolver, and submachine gun are good for close to mid range fights, while assault rifles are perfect for mid to far range. As opposed to sniper rifles which obviously are best for shooting enemies that are far away, Shotguns are most effective in close encounters, especially ambushes.

So keeping this in mind, you will need to equip the right weapons in the correct environments. For example, equipping a shotgun when you’re about to enter a house, and switching over to a rifle when you’re out in an open field.

Plant Your Traps

Traps are rather underrated in this game. Though I’ve only managed six kills using them within my 50-hour play time, they can be pretty useful, especially if you’re camping in a house or defending a labyrinth-like fortress you've built. The wall dynamo, ceiling zapper, and floor spikes can actually one-hit kill an enemy, making them invaluable tools.

Farm Building Resources Correctly

There are three building resources in Fortnite Battle Royale: wood, stone, and metal. You can grab wood from houses and trees, while stone from boulders and brick houses, and metal from vehicles and metal containers. Don't go chipping away at a trailer and hoping to get stone, for example.

Also, when farming these resources, you’ll notice a blue crosshair-like thing on the screen. Direct your pickaxe to the spot to quickly dismantle the objects, and you will, at the same time, get more resources.

Build an Impregnable Fortress in the End Game

Why is it a must to brush up on your architecture and building skills? Well, in the end game, players tend to build massive fortresses to protect themselves and place them in a better position against others. You will need enough building materials to construct one of your own. Better yet, build on the fortresses of others and hide yourself in them to make things a little more interesting!

So, if you want to grab your first win in Fortnite Battle Royale, take note of the above mentioned tips or try them out. You can play the way you want to (you’ll have tons of fun either way) but remember, always play smart and solo wins will come become a possibility. Fortnite BR is available on PC, PlayStation 4, and XBox One for free, so be sure to download and try it out now.